As the [Xinhua] story was posted to Weibo, commentators picked up on the lack of a mask, too. “It surely deserves a thumbs up, breathing smog together,” wrote a user named Maxuan. Another user named Pingping081 addressed Xi directly: “President Xi, we support you. Hope you take good care and making steady progress, lead us walk out of smog and receive a new era!” In general, the Weibo comments were largely positive (leading to some speculation that there may have been censorship involved), but one user wondered whether “big Xi” was setting a bad example by risking his own health. [Source]

In a comical post following Xi’s walk, Weibo user 段子坊 bragged of his luck and shared a photo.

段子坊: I didn’t run into Daddy Xi last time at the Qingfeng Steamed Bun Restaurant, but this time I was so lucky!!! To my great surprise, I happened to run into the old guy at Nanluogu Alley!!!!!! [going crazy] And the mayor of Beijing, Guo Jinlong, was there with him! I worked up enough courage to ask, and Big Boss Xi even took a picture with me!!!!!!! This is the luckiest moment of my life!!! Let me share the photo with you all!!